Chapter 8

I gulp and say, "I heard a lot of things about you, but I didn't hear anyone say that you joke around."

He can't mean business. Who puts out such a proposal in a rational manner? It's really ridiculous. Without a doubt, he has gone insane.

He doesn't answer me back. Simply lifts his exquisitely crafted eyebrow. Like he was daring me to keep acting like I hadn't heard him.

"Fuck!" I whisper. Looking down at my heels.

I had a million ideas running through my head. Making it challenging to focus on one.

It had been a love match the last and only time I had engaged in any kind of mating. That was my initial assumption, at least, and it didn't work out well for me.

Looking on the other side, a business transaction was what Ares was suggesting. It had to go very wrong eventually.

Could I really, after being so hurt, engage in such a mating? Then being ignored once my time of service was over.

My heart is gripped by a familiar pain that flares up again. I brush it off, refusing to cede control to it. All it does is remind me of how shattered I am.

"You sure curse a lot for a woman," he replies sternly.

I give him a glare as I look up. I don't see how cursing is related to the topic we were discussing. Or how it related to the fact that I am a woman.

I snap back, letting him see for himself how diverse my language is.

"What the heck am I doing here, then, if you detest my cursing so much? You conceited jerk, you can take back your foolish offer and stuff it up your  ass if you're going to fucking waste my time any further."  

if I was telling the truth, I felt tense. Being here and being in the presence of my enemy's ex-mate. It was playing tricks on my head, and I was resisting the want to choke him.

He says, "Ohh, Withdraw your fucking claws, kittycat, and that's your new name," taking offense at the disrespect. After all, he was an alpha king. 

I growl, becoming even angrier. "Do not fucking call me a kitten. Also, quit giving me orders." 

He simply smirked and said, "Try me." seeming to think I'm cute. He had no idea how deadly I was at the moment. 

A few minutes later, I sigh profoundly. "Let's return to the topic at hand. What do you tend to benefit from this and why me?" That's what I was unable to comprehend. Though I haven't had much time to consider all he has told me, there is one thing I didn't get. Why me among all the women? We had never met before. In essence, we were strangers. Why, then, would he approach me using this preposition? Indeed, it appears that he despises Alia as well. However, that was all we had in common. 

"It's actually very easy. There is no way you could fall in love with me after having your heart torn to bits. This works for me since love cannot be a factor in this. I know you desire revenge, and I do too. I'm offering you the chance to avenge yourself and regain your sanity. In addition, Wade needs a mother figure. Someone that isn't a total slut or a fucking bitch. Wade seems to like you, which is uncommon." 

I consider what he just said to me. I can't help but think that his response is a little ambiguous. As if he hadn't told me everything. Although his explanations made sense, there was more. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on, or something he wasn't telling me. 

I look intently into his green eyes, attempting to see if I might get a peek of what he was concealing. But he had a stoic expression. Indifferent. His look and eyes revealed nothing. Could I truly walk into such a deal not understanding the whole story? Without having all the details correct? I could have the rug yanked out from under me. Similar to Trevor. Ares wouldn't even be at fault if something were to occur because I went into this blindly.

This clearly has bad news written all over it, but should I still decline the chance? He was giving me everything I could ask for and more. One of the reasons I returned was to exact revenge on Trevor and Alia. 

Ares is a strong alpha king, so I could obtain that with ease. Nobody would even know that I had anything to do with their demise. "How can this plan keep me from becoming a feral rogue?" After some time, I asked him. Even though Cara has hurt me, I know she's only a child, therefore I didn't want to turn feral. I was still hoping we could work things out. However, I fail to see how his offer relates to my issue or how it will resolve it. 

"Being feral means that your wolf spirit has become unstable. Out of balance. It has to do with a rip or split. I'll have to mark you." He responds, "This will bind your soul to mine and establish your control over your wolf." 

Yes, it makes sense. When someone becomes feral, it's because their spirit has been divided. When you are mated to someone and they shatter you, the heartache and pain can be so great that it splits your spirit in two. Separating you from your wolf. You go insane from the separation since everyone is one with his wolf. 

There are other reasons to go feral besides heartbreak. There are several causes of  becoming feral. In my situation, even if Trevor hadn't done the same, I had completely given myself to him. I don't know how Ares knew all these things and I wish I could ask but I didn't. His look demanded an end to the conversation. 

"Alright then. What conditions would our agreement have if I agreed?" I assumed this would be handled like any other commercial transaction. With conditions, most likely outlined in a formal contract. 

"You'll sign a document, and no one else can know about it. We won't fall in love; we'll simply behave lovingly around your daughter and my son in public. Wade in particular needs us to make it seem plausible, so we'll share a room, but that's all. No sexual activity, close contact, or kissing—aside from the odd cheek kiss for show." He says, pausing to add more. 

"You don't meddle in my affairs, and I won't meddle in yours. You won't be seeing any other men for the term of our agreement. You'll be my pack's luna as well. I will give you my protection, my complete support, and my name in exchange. We'll be like normal mates, save from intimacy—and once more, I say it: do not fall in live with me." 

I scoff at the last part as he finishes. As if that were ever likely to occur. He was so indifferent and a jerk. I was never going to fall for him. However, I can't help but notice that he hasn't discussed his own fidelity. 

"No cheating," I say, "I also don't expect you to get involved with any other woman." I expected him to be faithful to me as well if I was going to do this. I was determined not to let another man make a fool of me. 

"All right, anything else?" He said. To be honest, I have no idea why he sounded and appeared so upset. He genuinely didn't believe I would allow him to cheat. Whether he fucking wanted it or not, we were both going to stay faithful. Even though it was simply a business transaction, I wasn't going to put up with him treating me like that. 

"Indeed, there is. What will be the tale of our love? What will we say to everyone? Especially the Media.” It wasn't like our mating happened by accident. People would sense that something was off. They would be wary, and the press would come after us. 

"We'll tell them that our similar situation brought us together. After you moved away, we kept in touch, and I paid you several visits. From then on, our love flourished.” When he says the last part, his face is filled with absolute disdain. I had to force myself not to laugh aloud. I found it hilarious that love repulsed him so much. Still, his justification made logic. I could see that crap getting devoured by the media. 

"So, is there a deal between us?" He questioned thoughtfully. "Once you consent, you cannot change your mind." I'm not sure whether he really has feelings because his eyes were still not showing anything. 

"Maggie, what are your thoughts?" She was also concerned about this. I had to make sure she was comfortable with the choice before making it. We were already parting up, I didn't need more distance. She perks up right away. 

"For now, it's our best chance of surviving." I then straighten my back and tuck my hair behind my ears. Recognizing that there is no other choice for Maggie and I, so we agree to something that might end up destroying us. 

"Yes, we have a deal." I respond, probably enduring our destruction.

Ares stands up and says, "Great, starting tomorrow, you're my mate and luna."